Diseccionando monstruosidades en los libros de caballerías castellanos (ss. XVI-XVII): una aproximación a las formas, funciones y sentidos de los gigantes en el género

Abstract

The monstrous discourse in the Castilian romances of Chivalry, a very popular literary genre in the 16th and 17th centuries, constitutes a real challenge of analysis, for the reason that it is composed of many elements –sources, monster archetypes, monstrification procedures, functions, etc.– which present multiple variations. However, we could take it apart into large units of meaning to lighten its exam. One of these corresponds to giants. Numerous, they also are very complex. They can be primitive, though, as a general rule, they wear armours, ride big horses and fight in a chivalrous manner, as if they were the grotesque reverse of the noble heroes. In addition, they are polytheists –worshiping even Muhammad– and idolaters, without neglecting they hate Christianity, although they convert to this religion sometimes.The aim of this paper is to provide some interpretation keys to facilitate a better understanding of these monstrosities. To achieve it, we will analyze their figurative, behavioral, axiological and religious dimensions.

Keywords

• literature
• Castilian romances of-chivalry
• monstrosity
• giants